Elsner Reservoir Number 2 in Saline County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Saline County end of Nebraska holds Elsner Reservoir Number 2. The ground around here is lake country bush. It covers about 12 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Start from Crete, 4.5 miles down the road. Lincoln is the closest city, 15 miles away. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Elsner Reservoir Number 2

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Reported across Saline County: common carp, flathead catfish, stonecat, channel catfish and green sunfish. The county list is broader than any single water. On this water the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 77°F for July and 23°F for January. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid March. From about mid March to around mid December, expect open water on the long-run figures. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. The season on this water rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Wanek Reservoir Number 1, 0.4 miles out. Nothing on this water should be assumed from this page alone.